Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 1

Written Answers. - Third Level Grants.

Máirín Quill

Question:

78 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the problems being encountered by local authorities which are causing delays in the administration of third-level grants in view of the complicated nature of forms to be completed; the plans, if any, there are to simplify these forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12685/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

As the Deputy is aware there are three schemes of student support viz. the higher education grants scheme, the vocational education committee scholarship scheme and European Social Fund-aided maintenance grants scheme.

I am committed to achieving improvements in the administration of student support. In 1993 the application form and notes were redesigned and standardised in order to produce a common application form for the three schemes of student support.

Officials from my Department recently met with representatives of the local authorities in relation to the 1996 schemes of student support. The application form and accompanying documentation are being kept under continuing review with a view to improving and simplifying them where appropriate.